Browsing by Author "Almeida, Elisabete"
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- earlyMYCO: A Pilot Mother-Child Cohort Study to Assess Early-Life Exposure to Mycotoxins - Challenges and Lessons LearnedPublication . Martins, Carla; Assunção, Ricardo; Costa, Ana; Serrano, Débora; Visintin, Lia; De Boevre, Marthe; Lachat, Carl; Vidal, Arnau; De Saeger, Sarah; Namorado, Sónia; Vidigal, Cristina; Almeida, Elisabete; Alvito, Paula; Nunes, CarlaEarly-life exposure occurs during gestation through transfer to the fetus and later, during lactation. Recent monitoring data revealed that the Portuguese population is exposed to mycotoxins, including young children. This study aimed to develop a pilot study to assess the early-life exposure to mycotoxins through a mother-child cohort, and to identify the associated challenges. Participants were recruited during pregnancy (1st trimester) and followed-up in three moments of observation: 2nd trimester of pregnancy (mother), and 1st and 6th month of the child's life (mother and child), with the collection of biological samples and sociodemographic and food consumption data. The earlyMYCO pilot study enrolled 19 mother-child pairs. The analysis of biological samples from participants revealed the presence of 4 out of 15 and 5 out of 18 mycotoxins' biomarkers of exposure in urine and breast milk samples, respectively. The main aspects identified as contributors for the successful development of the cohort were the multidisciplinary and dedicated team members in healthcare units, reduced burden of participation, and the availability of healthcare units for the implementation of the fieldwork. Challenges faced, lessons learned, and suggestions were discussed as a contribution for the development of further studies in this area.
- Portuguese health care costs related to asbestos exposure: a cost-of-illness study on mesothelioma hospital admission in the period 2000-2015Publication . Neto, Mariana; Almeida, ElisabeteBackground: Portugal has a temperate climate and low industrialization levels existing in the period after World War II, when asbestos materials were used worldwide, has contributed to the generalized belief of low usage of those materials. - Such supposition lacks confirmation; - There is no specific registry of asbestos-related diseases, workers asbestos exposure or asbestos industrial use; - Mesotheliomas are rare neoplasms strongly related to asbestos exposure so they can be used to understand the possible dimension of past exposure to asbestos; - It was estimated that professional diseases under notification was up to 90% for asbestos-related diseases, mainly mesotheliomas.
- Riscos associados a produtos químicos no laboratórioPublication . Almeida, ElisabeteOs produtos químicos são considerados perigosos quando apresentam riscos para o ser humano ou para o ambiente devido às suas caraterísticas físico-químicas, toxicológicas e ecotoxicológicas. Os efeitos nocivos podem envolver irritação da pele, mucosas dos olhos e das vias respiratórias, ou ainda efeitos anestésicos, asfixiantes, cancerígenos e mutagénicos, entre outros. A avaliação e o controlo dos riscos inerentes a atmosferas tóxicas e ao manuseamento de substâncias químicas é uma tarefa de particular relevância em laboratório face à variedade de produtos utilizados, quer na forma de matérias-primas, quer como produtos intermédios e produtos finais. A exposição a agentes químicos deve ser avaliada em qualquer atividade laboratorial que envolva este tipo de substâncias. Esta exposição pode ocorrer essencialmente por via cutânea ou inalatória. Na avaliação do risco químico devem ser consideradas as indicações fornecidas pelos fabricantes, quer constem nos rótulos das embalagens, quer nas fichas de dados de segurança ou disponibilizadas em literatura técnica e científica.